Soil testing is a key part of plant planning and cultivation. Soil is the lifeblood of plants, providing them with nutrients, water and oxygen. However, in order for soil to be used effectively for crop production, a proper understanding of the soil is essential. Knowing the composition of the soil allows you to accurately adjust fertilization and select the right plants for the site. 

This article is a comprehensive guide to soil testing, so you'll learn everything you need to know to correctly interpret test results and take effective action to improve soil quality. We'll introduce you to soil testing methods, tell you about soil components and their role, and show you how to interpret test results and what actions to take to improve the soil quality of a site. By reading our article, you will not only learn the basics of soil testing, but you will also learn how to put this knowledge into practice.

 

What is soil testing?

Soil testing is the process of determining the chemical, physical and biological composition of soil, which allows it to be properly understood and used for crop production.

Soil testing allows us to determine the level of nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and magnesium, as well as the pH of the soil and its water content. With this information, it is possible to accurately adjust fertilization and select the right plants for the area.

Soil testing methods can vary depending on the purpose of the test and the type of soil, but the most commonly used methods are:

• Laboratory analysis of soil samples, which involves taking soil samples from different layers and analyzing them chemically in a laboratory.
• General soil evaluation, which involves directly observing and evaluating soil properties such as color, texture, organic content and moisture content.
• Field testing, which involves growing plants and monitoring their growth and development to determine soil nutrient levels.
   

It is important to remember that soil testing should be done regularly, especially before planning a new crop, as soil changes can occur throughout the year. The results of soil testing should be interpreted by a specialist, who will be able to advise on what measures should be taken to improve soil quality and increase yields.

In conclusion, soil testing is essential for successful crop cultivation. Through regular testing, it is possible to know the composition of the soil and the level of nutrients.

Why is soil testing important?

Soil testing is important because soil is the lifeblood of plants, and a proper understanding of soil allows it to be used effectively for crop production.

The first and most important reason why soil testing is important is that it allows you to determine the levels of nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and magnesium, as well as the pH of the soil and its water content. With this information, it is possible to accurately adjust fertilization and select the right plants for the area, resulting in increased yields.

Another important reason is that soil testing makes it possible to detect and solve soil problems, such as nutrient deficiencies, excessive pH or moisture content, as well as the presence of soil pests or diseases. This makes it possible to take appropriate measures to improve soil quality and increase crop yields.

Soil testing is also important for environmental protection. By improving the quality of the soil, water retention can be increased and the soil's ability to absorb CO2 can be enhanced, which contributes to climate protection.

In conclusion, soil testing is important for increasing yields, solving soil problems and protecting the environment. It is a key part of crop planning and cultivation, so it is important to conduct regular soil testing and take appropriate action based on the results.

 

Preparing for soil testing

 

Preparing for a soil test is a process that involves proper site preparation and soil sampling to ensure reliable and accurate test results.

Before conducting a soil test, it is important to think carefully about the purpose and scope of the test. This will allow you to determine the appropriate testing methods and determine which soil components should be tested. It is also necessary to determine what crop is being grown and what its needs are, which will help determine the required level of soil nutrients.

Another important step is site preparation. Make sure that soil sampling is done on plots that are representative of the site. Samples should be taken from different soil layers, as recommended by a specialist, since the soil component can vary at different depths.

When taking samples, it is important to follow proper procedures, such as using clean tools and containers and storing samples properly. Soil samples should be transported and stored properly to avoid contamination or changes in composition.

The final step is to send the samples to the laboratory and wait for the test results. Before sending the samples, make sure they are properly identified and protected from contamination. It is also a good idea to determine whether the results will be available by email or by courier.

How to develop a soil sampling map

Developing a soil sampling map is an important part of planning and conducting soil surveys. A soil sampling map allows you to determine where and what soil samples should be taken, allowing you to obtain reliable and accurate test results. It is worth noting that such functionality will soon be available in the Meteotrack Agro application.

To develop a soil sampling map, perform the following steps:

• Define the purpose and scope of the soil survey. This will determine what soil components should be tested and where soil samples should be taken.
• Define the area to be surveyed. This can be the entire growing area, some part of it, or different fields on a map.
• Develop a sampling plan. This allows you to determine how many and what soil samples should be taken, and where they should be taken.

In the Meteotrack Agro application, the determination of sampling maps will be done automatically using several two methods, such as the north-south method and based on the NDVI index.

• The north-south method involves sampling soil according to the north-south direction in a given area. This method produces representative soil samples throughout the study area, as samples are taken evenly throughout the area. 
• The second method is to determine sampling maps based on the NDVI index. The NDVI index is an indicator of plant health and helps determine which areas are best used and which need improvement. In the Meteotrack Agro application, it will be possible to automatically determine sampling maps based on the NDVI index, allowing soil samples to be taken from areas with the highest potential.

These two methods allow for efficient and automatic determination of soil sampling maps, which allows for reliable and accurate soil results. With the Meteotrack Agro app, preparing for soil testing will be much, much faster and more accurate!

How to interpret soil test results

Interpreting soil test results is an important part of the soil testing process, as it allows you to understand the condition of the soil and its needs, and to take appropriate action. Soil test results contain information on nutrients, soil pH, water abundance, the presence of pathogens and other important factors affecting plant growth.
 

To interpret soil test results, it is necessary to analyze each soil component separately. The level of nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen and magnesium is particularly important. The optimal level of these nutrients varies for different plants, so it is important to know exactly what a plant needs and compare it to the nutrient levels in the soil.
 

Soil pH is another important factor. The optimal pH level also varies for different plants, but in general, soils with a pH between 6 and 7.5 are suitable for most plants. If the pH of the soil is too low or too high, there may be problems with plant growth and appropriate measures, such as changing fertilization, should be taken to improve the pH level.
 

Soil water richness is another important factor. Soils with adequate water content allow plants to develop properly, while soils with low water content can lead to problems with plant development.
 

The presence of soil pathogens and diseases is an important element to consider when interpreting soil test results. Pathogens are microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses that can affect plant development. Soil diseases are symptoms caused by pathogens, which can manifest as spots, rotting roots, lack of plant growth, etc.
 

If soil test results show the presence of pathogens or soil diseases, it is important to take appropriate measures to control them. This may include the use of fungicides or other chemicals, the use of natural control methods such as the use of predators, or the use of methods related to crop rotation.
 

It is also important to remember preventive measures such as proper fertilization and soil care to maintain soil health and protect plants from pathogens and diseases.

The most common mistakes in soil testing

Soil testing is an important part of planning and carrying out cultivation, as it allows to determine the condition of the soil and its needs, and to take appropriate action. But, unfortunately, many people make mistakes during soil testing, which can lead to incorrect results and difficulties in making crop decisions. Here are the most common mistakes people make during soil testing:
 

• Improper soil sampling. Taking soil samples from the wrong locations or in the wrong way can lead to incorrect test results.
   
• Improper storage of soil samples. If soil samples are not stored properly, they may be altered and will not represent the true condition of the soil.
   
• Incorrect determination of the sampling map. This is one of the more significant mistakes that are made. If the soil sampling map is not properly delineated, soil samples may be taken from unrepresentative locations, leading to incorrect test results.
   
• Incorrect interpretation of test results. If soil test results are not interpreted correctly, this can lead to incorrect crop decisions.
   
• Neglecting prevention. Conducting soil tests only at the time of plant problems is too late, and attention should be paid to preventive measures such as proper fertilization and soil care.

Summary

Soil testing is an important part of planning and carrying out cultivation, as it allows us to determine the condition of the soil and its needs, and to take appropriate action. However, many people make mistakes during soil testing, which can lead to incorrect results and difficulties in making crop decisions. These mistakes include: incorrect soil sampling, incorrect storage of soil samples, incorrect mapping of the sampling map, incorrect interpretation of test results, and neglecting prevention.